200 days until we go smokefree

December 17, 2018

There’s just 200 days to go before we go smokefree across site.

The new policy will come into place on 5 July, 2019 and our organisation is preparing for the change by urging colleagues, patients and visitors to get the help they need to quit now.

Stop Smoking Services are available to colleagues and patients across Sandwell and West Birmingham with dedicated clinics at Sandwell, City and Rowley Regis Hospitals.

Appointment slots can be booked with Caroline Kenny, and Stephanie Morris, Health Exchange Stop Smoking Service Coordinators, or Stop Smoking Advisor Nadia Al-Sohaini.

Stephanie said: “We have a presence on the wards four days a week in the mornings, where we visit patients asking them if they would like help and if they accept, we can then support them further.

“Employees are able to book an appointment at either Sandwell or Rowley Regis Hospitals, or go along to a drop-in session at City.

“During the one-to-one sessions, we talk to the patient or staff member about how much they smoke, their motivation behind quitting and the health benefits of giving up.

“We will also provide 12 weeks’ worth of Nicotine Replacement Therapy at no cost to employees.”

When the ban comes into force, the workforce, patients and visitors will still be able to vape outside, away from entrances.

Respiratory Consultant Dr Zia Ansari, said: “We see many patients and colleagues with respiratory conditions as a result of smoking. However, they are not very aware of the effects that it can have on their health.

“We are finding that around 50 per cent of patients attending our respiratory clinics are smokers.

“However, I believe the organisation going smokefree is a positive move and sends a clear message that it can seriously harm your health.”

Latest figures from Public Health England show that smokers are four times as likely to quit using a combination of behavioural support, than no help or over the counter Nicotine Replacement Therapy.

A survey to find out what our colleagues think about the smoking ban has also been set up. Early figures indicate that 94 per cent of staff are aware that the organisation is going smokefree across all sites, with 16 per cent confirming that they are smokers.

Feedback included a high level of interest in help to quit smoking, whilst there were suggestions for clearly marked areas for vaping. A small number also confirmed they were concerned about the effects of second hand smoke. The survey asks smokers whether they have attempted to quit before, whether the ban will change their smoking habits and what else the Trust could be doing to ease the transition to smokefree sites.

To fill in the survey, please click here.

How to access the service:

Sandwell Hospital:
An appointment-only clinic is held on Mondays, between 8.30am and 1pm for employees.

City Hospital:
A drop-in session is held on Tuesdays at Sheldon Block, City Hospital, between 9.30am and 1.30pm for employees.

Rowley Regis Hospital:
An appointment-only session is held every Saturday, for patients and staff.

For more information or to book an appointment, call the Stop Smoking Service on 0121 663 0007.